Whisper Beach Read Online Free

nodding and smiling but not stopping to talk, Van retraced her steps through the crowd.
    The kitchen was empty. And Van slumped against the table. She’d give Suze two minutes, then she was out of here. This had been a mistake.
    But when the door opened, it was Suze and Dorie. She wouldn’t get away that easily.
    â€œDorie, don’t start. It was a mistake for me to come.”
    Dorie pursed her lips, accentuating the wrinkles around her mouth. “It was a mistake for you to leave in the first place—at least not the way you did it.”
    Van started to protest, but what was the point? “Suze, you want to have dinner before I leave for Rehoboth?”
    Suze cast a look at Dorie, who looked innocent. “Dorie said Gigi and her children have been living with her mother.”
    Dorie nodded. “The bank foreclosed on her house.”
    â€œThat’s too bad.” Van turned toward the door.
    â€œVan, you wouldn’t leave her like this,” Dorie said.
    Suze grimaced. “She does need a friend.”
    â€œThen stay and be a friend.” Van didn’t owe any of them anything. Where were they when—when she needed them? Did she really have to ask herself that question? Suze had gotten her medical attention, let her stay while she recovered. Dorie had always been there for her, every time she didn’t have a place to stay because her father was too drunk for her to go home, and Gigi had handed over her college fund so Van could get away.
    â€œWe’ll never get a hotel room,” Van said halfheartedly. “It’s the end of the season and every hotel will be packed.” She’d had to sell her soul to get two weeks at Rehoboth.
    â€œYou can stay with me; I could use the company,” Dorie said, looking sad and forlorn.
    Van didn’t buy it for a second.
    â€œYou can’t take a few days off for a grieving friend and a lonely old woman?” Dorie grinned. “I exaggerate somewhat on the second half of that.”
    â€œWhat about Harold?” Van asked in a last-ditch effort to get away.
    Another jangle of Dorie’s bracelets. “Don’t worry about Harold. He won’t be any trouble.”
    Van rolled her eyes. She was trying to remain calm, strong, determined, but inside she was beginning to panic.
    And then Gigi walked through the door, looking totally defeated and needy and hopeful, and Van felt herself giving in. She looked over at Suze.
    â€œA few days,” Suze said.
    Van blew out air.
    Gigi sniffed and gave her a hug. “I’m just so glad you came. You don’t have to stay . . . for me.”
    Van looked over her head to Dorie and Suze and caved. “Of course I’ll stay. I want to.” She nearly choked on the words. Because the truth was she’d rather be anywhere but here.
    Van didn’t return to the reception. She figured she and Gigi had made enough of a scene to keep everyone talking for the next few days. After Van promised Gigi to come visit her the following morning, Dorie took Gigi back into the party room.
    â€œWhew,” Suze said. “Such a scene. Really, Van.”
    â€œI didn’t do it.”
    â€œI know. And even though it was a bit embarrassing, I’m glad you promised to stay. Gigi is a mess. Do you know anything about her husband? What was he was like?”
    â€œNope. One of the Daly clan. I don’t remember him. It’s not like Whisper Beach is actually a small town.”
    â€œJust gossips like one,” Suze said. “Guess that’s why they call it Whisper Beach.” Suze grinned at her.
    â€œUntil the whispers turn into the roar of the latest scandal; kind of a microcosm of every town on the Jersey shore.”
    â€œNot like my town,” Suze said, leaning against the counter, and resting her hand in a spill of marinara sauce.
    â€œThat’s because only rich people live in your hometown.”
    â€œMostly,” Suze said,